Fiji's government has summoned the country's top military commander after he issued an extraordinary statement raising concerns about the "ambition and speed" of changes being made by the new government.
Earlier on Tuesday, Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Major General Jone Kalouniwai warned that the government was taking "shortcuts that circumvent the relevant processes and procedures" which could lead to "long-term national security consequences", although he did not provide any specific details.
Commander Kalouniwai's statement also highlighted the military's "guardian role" in the constitution, which he claimed was to ensure "excesses [of power] of the past are not repeated".
Not long after issuing the statement, the commander was summoned to meet with Fiji's Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua.
Going into the meeting, Commander Kalouniwai said "no" when journalists asked if he had any plans to seize power.
On his way from the meeting, he gave the same assurance. When he was asked if he had a message for the public, the commander said the minister would issue a statement.
But his intervention has already stirred anxiety in Fiji, where the military has repeatedly seized power in recent decades.
Pio Tikoduadua said he'd raised "concerns" with the commander about his statement, but the two men had now reached an understanding.
Mr Tikoduadua also said the commander had given him assurances that he supported the government and would not make any further public statements criticising its actions.
"We have agreed on a new beginning, and I would like to reassure people in Fiji and the region that our relationship is good" he told journalists.
"The commander has assured [me] this is the last time he will be making public utterances like that."
"I trust the commander to do the right thing. Fiji needs us to work together. We want to reassure the people that the relationship between the government … and the army is on a good note."
When he was asked exactly what triggered the dispute, Mr Tikoduadua said the commander was concerned that the government's plan to ensure sacked Fiji Airways and Air Terminal Services staff can return to work might undermine court orders.
He also suggested the commander was worried by the government's plan to reshuffle the top echelons of the country's diplomatic corps.
Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said he was not concerned about Commander Kalouniwai's statement and that his government was on good terms with the military.
"The commander was reacting to something the minister was reported to have said … I've asked the minister responsible for defence to speak to the commander and assure him that the government will abide by the rule of law," he said.
But Mr Rabuka would not be drawn on what triggered Commander Kalouniwai's reaction, and urged Fijians not to worry.
"Relax … they should not be worried," he said.
Mercy commission after election win
In December, Sitiveni Rabuka was installed as Fiji's prime minister after tense coalition negotiations following the country's general election.
He unseated former prime minister Frank Bainimarama after 16 years in power.
The new government has flagged a host of seismic changes since taking power – including a review of Fiji's 2013 constitution, a high-level diplomatic reshuffle and a series of social policy initiatives.
Mr Rabuka's government also said that it will establish a Mercy Commission, which would oversee reviewing the eligibility for prisoners to be released.
Those prisoners include former coup leader George Speight, who was jailed in 2002 for treason.
Local media reported this month that Mr Rabuka had denied the Mercy Commission was set up to release Mr Speight.
Fiji's coup history
Despite being known as a beautiful tourist destination for many Australians, behind the scenes Fiji has long been a tense political battleground.
Fiji has a history of military coups — including two staged by Mr Rabuka in 1980's, one by Mr Speight in 2000 and one by Mr Bainimarama in 2006.
All four coups have been surrounded by claims of ethnic tension between indigenous iTaukei Fijians and Indo-Fijians.
Those tensions came to the forefront again during last year's general election when Fiji's military were called to help police in response to "threats made against minority groups".
At the time, Mr Rabuka called for calm and urged Fijians to respect the rule of law.
'Extremely worrying but not entirely unexpected'
University of Victoria Wellington's Jon Fraenkel said the move from Fiji's military was "extremely worrying but not entirely unexpected".
Professor Fraenkel said the Fijian government's suggestion it was going to review the 2013 constitution could likely have triggered the military's public statement.
"The military is making the point that it stands by the 2013 constitution … that it sees its role under Section 131 as a guardian," he said.
"There needs to be discussion about that … between the prime minister and the commander, about whether that really is an appropriate provision for a modern democratic country like Fiji."
